High-speed broadband is heading to some of Scotland’s most isolated communities in a major leap forward for rural connectivity.
A £157 million deal under the UK Government’s Project Gigabit programme will bring gigabit-capable broadband to around 65,000 premises across the Highlands, Moray, Aberdeenshire, Argyll and Bute, Angus and Perth and Kinross.
This is the largest single contract awarded under the £5 billion scheme designed to close the digital divide across the UK.
It marks a significant milestone in ensuring that no part of the country is left behind in the race to modernise its digital infrastructure.
The project aims to transform access to online services including healthcare, education and business tools in areas where poor connectivity has long been a barrier.
With fast internet becoming as essential as water or electricity, the move is being hailed as a game changer for rural life.
The investment will help families access vital services, enable flexible working and support children learning online.
It will also provide the digital foundation needed to power up rural economies and give small businesses a level playing field.
Elizabeth Anderson of the Digital Poverty Alliance welcomed the move, calling it a vital step in bridging Scotland’s digital divide.
She said the rollout recognises the shift towards online banking, digital learning and essential services that demand reliable connectivity.
Scotland’s rugged geography has long posed challenges for broadband infrastructure, making this targeted investment especially significant.
But Anderson also stressed the importance of keeping costs down so people can afford to use the high-speed connections once they’re in place.
The broadband contract is part of a wider £800 million agreement with Openreach to deliver faster internet to rural parts of Britain.
Work is already under way to connect more than 227,000 premises across Wales and England.
In Scotland, the rollout will be delivered in partnership between the UK Government, Scottish Government and Openreach.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray described the investment as a lifeline that will help build resilient communities and unlock opportunity.
He said the plan ensures that economic growth can reach every postcode, not just the most connected cities and towns.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has also welcomed the announcement as a long-overdue boost for rural Scotland.
She said the move was “tangible evidence the UK Labour Government is not only listening to the people in the Highlands and Islands but acting and delivering.”
Grant criticised the SNP’s R100 broadband scheme as being far behind schedule and praised Labour’s UK Telecoms Minister Chris Bryant for “grasping the thistle and sorting this out.”
She said high-speed broadband would be transformative for communities in Skye, Islay, Tiree, Applecross, Durness and Stornoway.
For too long, she added, these areas had been forced to provide their own internet solutions, which was “simply unfair.”
The move comes after a year of record-breaking progress, with 1.8 million rural premises already connected to gigabit broadband across the UK.
As the nation relies more and more on digital services, the initiative is about more than speed — it’s about fairness.
By giving isolated communities the tools they need to thrive online, this programme hopes to ensure no one is left behind in the digital age.
